Late Bid For Jamaica

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31077, 4 June 1966, Page 19

Late Bid For Jamaica

The unsuccessful nominee for the Empire Games six-miles, B. J. Everitt, is prepared to make an eleventh-hour bid for selection.

Everitt (Wellington) also wants selection to the New Zealand crosscountry team to contest t h e world championship in Wales early next year.

Both Everitt and his coach, Mr R. Spence, say that there is “nothing to lose” in making another attempt to produce a fast six-mile time. “1 am willing to have a go, but a lot will depend on the weather.” Everitt said.

In recent weeks Everitt has competed successfully in harrier events for the Wellington club. However, he also has done some speed training and may have a trial run over three miles at the Evans Bay all-weather track at the week-end.

The games selectors (Messrs C. L. S. Cross, P. N. Robinson and C. R. Moore) have given the nine unsuccessful athletics nominees until June 30 to force their way into the team with outstanding performances.

His performance in the trial will influence his decision whether to try for a sixmile time. If he runs the three miles, he will be assured of pacing from Wellington Harrier Club members. Everitt’s best six-mile time is 28min 7sec, which places him third in the Commonwealth rankings for 1966 and is considerabl' faster than the time achieved by the successful nominee, W. D. Baillie (Auckland), in the New Zealand chapmionship. A time approaching 27min 50sec would be needed before the selectors would reopen his case.

Wellington’s two other games nominees, the long jumper. Miss J. Wilkins, and the sprinter. Miss P. Haworth, have given up the unequal struggle against winter conditions. Miss Wilkins tried a few jumps a week ago, bnt without success. “It was too cold and I had no competition so I have resigned myself Ito staying at home,” she said.